growl

American  

[groul] / graʊl /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a deep guttural sound of anger or hostility.

   The dog growled at the mail carrier.

2. to murmur or complain angrily; grumble.

3. to rumble.

   The thunder growled.

4. Jazz. to use flutter-tonguing in playing a wind instrument.

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verb (used with object)

1. to express by growling.

noun

1. the act or sound of growling.

2. Jazz. the technique of flutter-tonguing.

growl British  

/ ɡraʊl /

verb

1. (of animals, esp when hostile) to utter (sounds) in a low inarticulate manner

   the dog growled at us

2. to utter (words) in a gruff or angry manner

   he growled an apology

3. (intr) to make sounds suggestive of an animal growling

   the thunder growled around the lake

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noun

1. the act or sound of growling

2. jazz an effect resembling a growl, produced at the back of the throat when playing a wind instrument

Usage

What does growl mean? To growl is to make a deep, rumbling grrrrr sound in the throat, like a guard dog does at an intruder. Growling is typically interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or show hostility. Growl can also be used as a noun to refer to such a sound, as in We heard a terrifying growl in the woods. Growling is most often associated with dogs, but other animals can growl or make sounds that can be considered growls, such as bears. People can growl in this way—a young child might growl when throwing a tantrum. In the context of people, though, the word is more commonly used in a figurative way meaning to say something in a low, gruff, angry tone, as in “Get out now!” he growled. Sometimes, it’s used in the context of a thing that’s making a deep rumbling sound, as in Listen to that engine growl! or The growl of the thunder was moving closer. Example: We’ve had the same mail carrier for years, but my dog still growls at her.

Related Words

See complain.

Other Word Forms

• growlingly adverb
• undergrowl noun
• ungrowling adjective

Etymology

Origin of growl

1350–1400; Middle English groule to rumble (said of the bowels); cognate with German grollen

Explanation

To growl is to make a low, guttural, aggressive sound, like “grrrrrrrrrrr.” If you’ve ever gotten too close to an angry dog, you’ve probably heard a growl. A growl is not a friendly sound. Growls are low, rumbling snarls, and they usually mean "Back off!" Dogs growl at people and animals they don’t like. Sometimes people growl when they speak in a low, angry way. If you dine at a restaurant but don’t leave a tip, the waiter might growl at you. Growling is best done though clinched teeth. If an animal or person is growling, stay away!

Example Sentences

When Mr. Cameron’s Na’vi growl and bare their teeth at one another, they come across as campy and catty critters—“Real Housewives of Pandora.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

The object of his growl was a journalist who spent two years battling him on the Dodgers beat.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2025

She dropped into her gravelly Cookie Monster growl for the answer: “Brown food tastes good.”

From Salon • Sep. 4, 2025

I knelt on my bed, burying my tears into my jacket until I started to growl.

From Slate • May 19, 2025

They’d passed the yellow brick road that led to the center of town and cut through the entrance to the Cursed Forest when Seven heard a low, rumbling growl.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Related Words

• grunt
• howl
• moan
• rumble